Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on January 07, 2026, 09:25:53 PM
-
Positves, we didn't lose, clean sheet, decent results elsewhere.
-
Progress
-
I really, really fucking hate Palace.
-
I'll take that.
-
Positves, we didn't lose, clean sheet, decent results elsewhere.
There aren't any results elsewhere. Shush.
-
Got out without a battering. A win of sorts but doesn’t help our title challenge
-
Blimey, Unai storms the pitch to have a ruck with the ref!
-
What did Emery do?
-
Ballicks. Beat me by 2 seconds Mr Shin
-
We didn’t lose despite being some what passive in the second half. Onwards….
-
The most blatant penalty on Tielemans, what is the point of VAR. Won't be any mention of it on MOTD
-
Not the worst tbh.
Arsenal lose to Liverpool tomorrow and we've gained a point.
YNWA
-
Not great but not bad either.
Great away support.
Lindelof very good again.
-
It is a point but I had hoped to break the voodoo a bit more.
-
Some pretty shit performances tonight so a well earned point. Lindelof my mom, was excellent throughout.
-
Thoroughly disappointing.
I thought we were overly negative and cautious in the first half.
Second half too many players were off their game and were outfought and out muscled when palace decided to come out and play.
I don’t think we ever believed we could win that game.
-
Have to draw somewhere, might as well be there.
-
Why was Unai so angry with the ref?
-
Decent result that, all things considered.
Emery not a happy bunny at the end, went all the way over to have a go at the ref. I like to see that. Keep up the mental pressure on officials.
-
What did Emery do?
Went on at FT to remonstrate with him. Not seen that before.
-
Hopefully that's us done with Palace this season. Please don't let our paths cross in the Cup.
-
Pretty rubbish, but didn’t lose and didn’t concede so that’s good.
-
Not the worst tbh.
Arsenal lose to Liverpool tomorrow and we've gained a point.
YNWA
Yeah.
No it aint gonna happem.
-
Blimey, Unai storms the pitch to have a ruck with the ref!
Good, not giving the one on Tielemans towards the end is a shocking decision, no idea how multiple officials can look at that and not see a foul.
-
Why was Unai so angry with the ref?
Tielemans penalty shout I'd imagine
-
Fucking horrible but the outcome is ok.
Sancho is fucking useless.
Ref appalling. They got away with murder on Rogers, no yellow for that ginger ******, twice missed corners, and VAR took the night off, couldn't be arsed to check anything closely. Wankers.
Anyway, Up The Fucking Villa.
-
Let’s not forget they also had about 17 players missing and we still couldn’t take advantage.
-
Didn't feel like a game for Buendia, a rare Unai error maybe.
-
The stats would suggest a pretty even game where we just edged it on possession. Relatively speaking our two points dropped is better than the two Man City just dropped at home vs Brighton. Arsenal will be happy.
-
Would have taken a draw beforehand, tbh, given our appalling record against them.
Hoping Brighton & Liverpool can do us favours now. We'll get none from refs (allegedly)!
-
Palace wanted it more. Very disappointing result with some poor/half arsed performances but none worse the the ref.
-
The stats would suggest a pretty even game where we just edged it on possession. Relatively speaking our two points dropped is better than the two Man City just dropped at home vs Brighton. Arsenal will be happy.
Agree.
But I think Liverpool can win tomorrow.
Then we've gained a point.
Come on guys tell me you believe me.
-
Unai should never have started Sancho never mind keep him on for so long.
He stifled all our attacks down the right.
When he went off Cash put in a cross that we he hit the post from.
I hope we never see him in a Villa shirt again. The most ineffectual Villa player I’ve ever seen.
-
Well - we always struggle against this lot.
Need to see them again - but we should have probably had a pen. That said we dont score them so never mind.
Think the subs made us weaker. Unai was fuming with the ref - which Ive never seen him marching onto the pitch like that.
Man City didnt gain on us.
-
I’ll take that after recent results vs Palace. Other results going our way too, Citeh drawing at Home, Chelsea losing. Just Burnley to beat ManUre. Oh and Spuds losing.
-
This is arsenal's night and they didn't even play.
-
Didn't feel like a game for Buendia, a rare Unai error maybe.
I thought things started to happen when he came on
-
you can see by his actions tonight he knows we're in the race
It hurts not getting the win but its a good point against these we usually get smashed
Just need liverpool to do us a favour
-
Didn't feel like a game for Buendia, a rare Unai error maybe.
I thought things started to happen when he came on
Indeed.
-
Hoodoo sort-of broken but we seemed quite passive at times. Think Unai was upset about Johnson’s rugby tackle on Youri - especially as the ball was in play.
-
We're happier tonight than ManC and Chelsea are, so there's that.
-
Didn't feel like a game for Buendia, a rare Unai error maybe.
I thought things started to happen when he came on
Indeed. Worked well with Rogers.
-
If I was an opposition manager then I would just be on the blower to Glasner to ask for tips against us.
-
Didn't lose to Glasner's Palace, gained a point on Chelsea, didn't lose ground on Citeh who were at home to a team they should have beaten. If Liverpool amd Arsenal can draw, we've come out of one of our least favourite away fixtures unscathed.
-
Bit of a damp squib but better than losing
-
Missed opportunity, both Man City and Chelsea dropping points, plus we can't get past this hold they have on us, still the new run is safe and on we go.
-
Watkins misses a couple and we don’t win. We are crying out for a clinical goal scoring centred forward beast.
As is everyone else.
Man City have the obvious. Liverpool have signed two potential ones. Arsenal have spent a load of money on a shit one. Chelsea have spent even more on… err, fuck knows.
Anyway, a point is ‘ok’ so long as Arsenal lose or draw.
-
Not too upset with the result. I thought the ref was particularly poor tonight.
-
Says a lot that a scrappy 0:0 is an improvement over what we usually get against them. I really hope we can get over this inferiority complex we have about them before I fucking die.
-
Thank god we can’t play these in the Europa League.
Even with half their team missing it still feels like we’re up against PSG.
-
Chance this look better at the end of the season. Still level with Man City - one more ahead of chelsea.
Tomorrows not bad - either we stay as is, or gain a point on one of our rivals.
A win would of been lovely - but they had the better of the chances tbh. We just dont seem to be able to cope with how physical they are.
-
IMO a massive missed opportunity against a very weak Palace squad. God knows what it is, but Unai just doesn't know how to play against Palace. He never looks himself but seems to over think the game against them. They were there for the taking tonight and yet we still didn't impose ourselves on them. So frustrating...
-
It might turn out to be a really good point but this feels like an opportunity missed. At no point did we get our free flowing game going and the first half was just a warm up. Sancho was really poor, but I think Tielemans was below par and some of the passing generally was wayward. Still, a clean sheet, another point and we didn't lose to our bogey side. Tielemans grabbed in the box, nothing, handball when the ball was on its way to goal, nothing, referee didn't see the ball come off the thigh of the Palace player when Rogers shot near the end. I think we were possibly a bit unlucky with the decisions tonight too.
-
Man U now winning, because of PWS.
-
Watkins misses a couple and we don’t win. We are crying out for a clinical goal scoring centred forward beast.
As is everyone else.
Man City have the obvious. Liverpool have signed two potential ones. Arsenal have spent a load of money on a shit one. Chelsea have spent even more on… err, fuck knows.
Anyway, a point is ‘ok’ so long as Arsenal lose or draw.
Well yeah and there’s the point, they don’t really exist and if they are about they cost an exceptional amount. It’d didn’t come off tonight, but his goal scoring record is absolutely fine of late.
-
Good point in one of our toughest fixtures.
-
It’s weird.
We have been discussing on here all week how we need to lose the small team mentality. How we need to believe that this team can achieve something.
But now it seems we should be happy with a draw against their B team.
That’s a massive opportunity lost and we should be thoroughly disappointed that we didn’t step up (again) against these fuckers.
-
Is the Nathaniel off Lost?
-
10 points ahead of 6th. Not bad.
-
At least we didn't lose.
-
There is no such thing as "a good point" when you are trying to win the league and the team at the top never drop any.
-
Good point in one of our toughest fixtures.
Agree.
Don't care how many players they had missing.
We don't get results against Palace so I'm happy with a point.
-
There is no such thing as "a good point" when you are trying to win the league and the team at the top never drop any.
If they never drop points then winning tonight wouldn't help us.
-
I wonder if we can pull off a couple masterstrokes like last season in the Jan window - amazing loans or similar.
Interesting in Unai's reaction - hes in the title race despite his refusal to admit it.
-
Should have gone for it more for me,
they were there for the taking but we were to busy walking around at the back with it and slowing it down
we are far better than them quality wise but didn’t show it
Opportunity missed
-
It shows how much we've progressed when we're disappointed with an away point at Palace and a clean sheet. Decent point.
-
Good point IMO, just helps keep the gap between us and the chasing pack
Draw away and win at home and we won’t be far away
Still don’t rate Sancho, he did track back in all fairness but I don’t see what he offers
-
Arsenal had a great night, hopefully they draw tomorrow. If they win they are 8 points clear ffs.
-
There is no such thing as "a good point" when you are trying to win the league and the team at the top never drop any.
If they never drop points then winning tonight wouldn't help us.
It's not clever...being logical.
-
We got better results than Man City, and better than Chelsea.
Arsenal will have a wobble - at the moment its all about points on the board - and thats one more.
Onwards!
-
We are doing well.....i'll tell you that (Charlie Chuck reference sorry couldn't help myself)
Palace were never going to roll over and have their bellies tickled. They know how we play and delt with it the best they could.
They got a draw at home
-
Didn’t see a single kick or update until just as I was working.
We can’t win every game , as much as we’d like to.
Decent point, result wise as it’s “them”
-
It’s weird.
We have been discussing on here all week how we need to lose the small team mentality. How we need to believe that this team can achieve something.
But now it seems we should be happy with a draw against their B team.
That’s a massive opportunity lost and we should be thoroughly disappointed that we didn’t step up (again) against these fuckers.
We're going to have games like this, it's just the way it is. I'm not jumping up and down at the result but I'm not thoroughly disappointed either. After the run we've had, no-one should be.
-
Let’s not forget they also had about 17 players missing and we still couldn’t take advantage.
Their core were all playing as was their new (record?) star signing. They're a good team, I don't know why you're so bent out of shape about it. We rarely don't win, rarely draw and we controlled much of the game away to a bogey team. Not too shabby.
-
Decent point. Don't forget we've lost the last 5 of the previous 6 matches against this lot. We've also lost 6 of the 7 previous matches at Selhurst since promotion. Something is better than nothing...
If Hughes wasn't absolutely everywhere tonight I think we would have just nicked it but honestly I thought he was the best player on the pitch.
-
A point is fair. 3 would have been great but could so easily have been none. Only seen the 2nd half and on that showing we didn’t deserve to win. I think it was a game for Malen and Watkins in attack. Sancho should be nowhere near the starting 11.
-
The most blatant penalty on Tielemans, what is the point of VAR. Won't be any mention of it on MOTD
Michael Oliver on VAR says it all.
-
Decent point. Don't forget we've lost the last 5 of the previous 6 matches against this lot. We've also lost 6 of the 7 previous matches at Selhurst since promotion. Something is better than nothing...
If Hughes wasn't absolutely everywhere tonight I think we would have just nicked it but honestly I thought he was the best player on the pitch.
Off the ball he's a great player to have but Wharton is their real Rolls Royce of a midfielder.
-
It was a poor point, there's no escaping that. It may be a very important point though.
-
At least the fuckers did not beat us for a change
We could have done a lot more in the 1st half when we had the possession, instead we dragged it to a walking pace.
Well played by Bizos, if it had have been Olsen I think we would have lost
Def penalty with 2 arms around Tiemans
Onwards and upwards
-
The most blatant penalty on Tielemans, what is the point of VAR. Won't be any mention of it on MOTD
Michael Oliver on VAR says it all.
Can anybody seriously explain why that wasn't given?
-
It wasn't their B team in reality and most teams have some injuries etc.
anyway…thought we largely controlled the first half but then lost control for about 20 mins midway through the second half, largely because our midfield of Tielemans, Kamara and then a further forward McGinn, didn’t play very well and Wharton started to get a grip on the game. Thought we wrestled some control back and we’re unlucky not to win it with Watkins hitting the post and Rogers having that one deflected over.
Thought Sancho was ineffective but not that much came down our right and Malen didnt do much more when he came on. Point being Sancho wasn’t our main problem tonight.
Its not a bad point but I do feel its an opportunity lost. Ive put Arsenal to draw tomorrow in the predictions league Im in, but I dont really believe it. If they go 8 points clear its theirs to lose.
-
The most blatant penalty on Tielemans, what is the point of VAR. Won't be any mention of it on MOTD
We will never get those decisions just like Merino's blatant red card. We're not supposed to be joint second.
-
The most blatant penalty on Tielemans, what is the point of VAR. Won't be any mention of it on MOTD
Michael Oliver on VAR says it all.
Can anybody seriously explain why that wasn't given?
Plus the two handballs while they're at it. The second, his fore arm is a right angles to his body and he blocks the ball ffs.
-
The most blatant penalty on Tielemans, what is the point of VAR. Won't be any mention of it on MOTD
Michael Oliver on VAR says it all.
Can anybody seriously explain why that wasn't given?
There's wrestling at every corner so they very rarely give them
-
A fair and decent point. We maintained or improved our position on all of our CL placing rivals.
We didn't play well, however (is it a Palace/Glasner thing or a back 3 thing?).
Gold stars to Konsa and Lindlehof, as well as Cash. Rogers was very industrious and at the heart of everything we did well going forward.
Midfield was lumpy, especially Tielemans and SJM (poor distribution) and Sancho (peripheral). But we hung on in there.
Ollie missed a few half chances, but looked and felt dangerous - which is a change when compared to just a few weeks ago
UTV!
-
Not the worst result given the way other results have gone or are going so far, but if we are dreaming of really challenging then it's a missed opportunity really.
He was unlucky with the header that hit the post, but Ollie Watkins had 3 clear opportunities in their box and didn't even get a shot on the goal.
-
Rather frustrating in our present position, all part of the ride I suppose.
If Arsenal win tomorrow our slim title hopes become slimmer, but our champions league place becomes more nailed on.
Sod it, come on Liverpool lets look up not down.
-
Diappointing 2nd half, despite us having an extra days rest, Palace looked like the side, who had the more energy and were the better side for most of the half, though we did improve in the last 15 mins or so. I suppose the bottom line is, it's a good point against our bogey team.
-
Just seen the Man City pen - its unreal.
-
Not the worst result given the way other results have gone or are going so far, but if we are dreaming of really challenging then it's a missed opportunity really.
He was unlucky with the header that hit the post, but Ollie Watkins had 3 clear opportunities in their box and didn't even get a shot on the goal.
Plus the amount of times we rolled the ball right in front of the 6 yard box for no fucker to attempt to get on the end of.
-
It was a poor point, there's no escaping that. It may be a very important point though.
Poor? We could have easily lost more than we looked like actually winning it. Imagine Martinez's fingertip save and Kamara's last-ditched goal line clearance didn't happen?
It's 100% going to be the latter.
-
Just seen the Man City pen - its unreal.
Not a pen?
-
We had our chances but I suppose they did too. It’s a sad indictment when Hughes is the best player in the pitch. Unai obviously felt we should have been winning given he played Malen and Watkins together. Not sure why he took Digne off who had been so solid!
Anyway on to the Cup!
-
Although Palace tired as expected. We didn’t exploit it at any time. That too was disappointing.
-
They are now 8 without a win and are so depleted their entire bench had 2 PL starts between them. ManC and Arsenal would think it, it's time we did as well.
-
3 away games since Christmas is a huge physical ask and we’ve shown we are not only a v good team but resilient as well.
There is no easy game and this is a good away point. If we can add a couple this month then I don’t see anything else but top 4 and a Europa league trophy.
-
Thought we played some excellent stuff in patches. If Ollie takes one of two good early chances who knows? Palace just gradually put the bite on the midfield and once again Adam Wharton stifled Tielemans game from about the half hour mark. Palace were way better than they have been in the last 6/8 weeks they just seem to love playing us. I actually enjoyed seeing Emery having a pop at the referee because they got away with murder taking it in turns to foul Rogers. It says a lot for Roger's ability that despite all that he was still the best player on the pitch. That one shot he hit on the turn was going in until their player deflected it over the bar for a goal kick to them! All in all a good point.
-
A decent point, well done Villa. Take it one game at a time and let's see where it gets us.
-
Just seen the Man City pen - its unreal.
Not a pen?
Not for me.
-
Positves, we didn't lose, clean sheet, decent results elsewhere.
There aren't any results elsewhere. Shush.
Told you :-*
-
https://x.com/i/status/2008994852248457565
-
Positves, we didn't lose, clean sheet, decent results elsewhere.
There aren't any results elsewhere. Shush.
Told you :-*
Oh, I can't stay mad at you.
-
https://x.com/i/status/2008994852248457565
Christ, that'a terrible. They should add that to the list of charges.
-
Keanes sending off is utterly ridiculous as well. This game has gone to the dogs
-
https://x.com/i/status/2008994852248457565
Christ, that'a terrible. They should add that to the list of charges.
Micah Richards-esque.
-
That City pen is an absolute joke..
-
https://x.com/i/status/2008994852248457565
Christ, that'a terrible. They should add that to the list of charges.
Whats that chant again
"Premier league corrupt as £UC%"....allegedly
-
https://x.com/i/status/2008994852248457565
That's a dive Tom Daley would have been proud of. How he got that is just ridiculous.
-
https://x.com/i/status/2008994852248457565
That's a dive Tom Daley would have been proud of. How he got that is just ridiculous.
First time I've seen that. It's a shocker. It does nothing to stop the accusations of corruption at var. Utterly ridiculous.n
-
And yet some on here agree with the decision.Madness
-
And yet some on here agree with the decision.Madness
Really pisses me off considering we've not had a league pen all season.
-
Unai interview
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2032077737641953
-
I thought the tactical approach was spot on and if Watkins, Tielemans, Kamara or others taken one of their chances, we’d be coming away with a very creditable win. First time against us I’ve seen Glasner getting frustrated. That in itself is progress. A decent result.
How we didn’t get a penalty for the holding on Tielemans I’ve no idea.
-
Apart from the final game of last season I don’t think I’ve ever seen Unai so animated with an official.
-
Just seen a still image of the first half handball when Cash shoots. The hand stops the ball and is not tucked in. A clear pen..
-
I don't mind them not giving that, but there is zero chance any of the red franchises wouldn't have got it.
-
Still a bogey team. They have taken four points off us this season. At least they didn't do the double over us.
-
Didn't see the game but it's a clean sheet and point at our bogey ground. Teams around us dropped points too. Move on.
-
The cash shot not being given as a pen is bad. If thats not a handball I am not sure what is.
It hits his wrist and stopped a goal bound shot. the wrist was at 90 degrees to his body.
-
https://x.com/i/status/2008994852248457565
That's a dive Tom Daley would have been proud of. How he got that is just ridiculous.
It is beginning to look like the game is bent.
-
Absolutely acceptable result.
These wankers are our kryptonite, I'd have snapped your hand off for a draw before kick off. Other results have gone our way, as well.
-
Apart from the 20 minutes or so of the second half, I think we generally controlled the game without really pushing on. I think we were maybe too concerned because of what had happened the last few times against them.
I didn't see us facing any great tactical conundrum, but a point is ok. We've just been used to winning a lot.
-
https://x.com/i/status/2008994852248457565
Christ, that'a terrible. They should add that to the list of charges.
That wasn't the ref though initially, VAR sent him to the screen. He should have stuck with his original decision if he had any bottle.
-
Wanted a win. Expected nothing.
An away point is always useful.
-
Apart from the 20 minutes or so of the second half, I think we generally controlled the game without really pushing on. I think we were maybe too concerned because of what had happened the last few times against them.
I didn't see us facing any great tactical conundrum, but a point is ok. We've just been used to winning a lot.
I think thats it. Some are used to us getting a goal then getting a second, then wayho, another three points. It's not always going to be like that sadly.
First half, I thought we controlled it. Second half, we let them back into it but we still could have won it. We've done that a few times, not been quite at it but getting the win. Tonight, it didnt happen but that's ok.
-
First hand ball shout. Bloke comes towards the ball with both hands out and around his neck. VAR = "Natural position". Second one from Cash was closer to natural for me.
-
No Tielemans penalty shown. MOTD just used it as an excuse to have ago at how we are "dropping off".
-
I'll take a point.
-
Ollie butchered those first two chances really. Awful touch for the first. Fine header yet again though, unfortunate it didn't get the winner. They had a few clearcut chances too though going on the highlights. Super save by Martinez. Bizot looks very small to be a PL keeper.
-
Keanes sending off is utterly ridiculous as well. This game has gone to the dogs
I learned at the women’s Euros in the summer that is a straight red. Seems Keane and Moyes didn’t know that.
-
Keanes sending off is utterly ridiculous as well. This game has gone to the dogs
I learned at the women’s Euros in the summer that is a straight red. Seems Keane and Moyes didn’t know that.
No sympathy for him at all, he should know that's a straight red these days.
-
Yanking someone's ponytail is just stupid. First time I've ever seen it happen. Keane will be suspended for our game against them, I assume, will Grealish too?
-
Yanking someone's ponytail is just stupid. First time I've ever seen it happen. Keane will be suspended for our game against them, I assume, will Grealish too?
I doubt Grealish will be. Won't it be a one game suspension for 2 yellows?
-
It will, just thought it might count in the league and not the FA Cup game before but I guess not.
-
We have taken one up the tea towel holder there. How the hell did we not get a pen or a flipping corner from Rogers attempt?
We are paying top dollar to watch a media mafia control the puppet refs and VAR to ensure that the skyfest is protected at all costs.
My patience has been wearing thin for a few years now.
Supporters of many other clubs must be feeling the same.
Keep going Villa.....
-
Can we agree Buendia just isn’t good enough? Yes, he’s had some good moments this season, but just not up to the level we need consistently.
-
Can we agree Buendia just isn’t good enough? Yes, he’s had some good moments this season, but just not up to the level we need consistently.
I have said for some weeks that despite a bright start to the season, he has reverted to the Buendia he always has been.
That said, his effort cannot be questioned and he does more in his cameo appearances than Sancho ever has.
-
As the guy who stands next to me says “if Buendia is the answer for Villa then you know we are fu**ed”
-
I only managed to get to watch the last 15 minutes. In the last 10 we had 4 chances to win: a Buendia shot that he should have been much more composed with; a Watkins shot that should have gone near-post rather than trying to bend into the far; a Rogers shot deflected for a non-corner; and the Watkins off-the-post header.
We should have won, despite being okay with a draw.
-
I felt a draw was about right. We utterly dominated the first half without really stretching them then lost control at the start of the second half giving up quite a few chances then came strong at the end but couldn’t convert any of our chances. I’m happy with a point. Onwards…..
-
Draw was right but we couldn't beat a weakened Palace. We were into them first half but created little - Sancho, all fart....again.
Sadly Emi B has tailed off and Malen seems less threatening so were a bit blunt. Good have Torres nearly fit and I'm hoping Ross B isn't too far away as we need a bit more physicality together with guile to bring into midfield off the bench in addition to Bogarde.
-
Can we agree Buendia just isn’t good enough? Yes, he’s had some good moments this season, but just not up to the level we need consistently.
I agree. I think an upgrade on him is impending if we are allowed to under PSR rules. Meanwhile 115 just carry on with impunity and are adding Semenyo and Gueyhe to their bloated ranks. It boils my piss.
-
Draw was right but we couldn't beat a weakened Palace. We were into them first half but created little - Sancho, all fart....again.
Sadly Emi B has tailed off and Malen seems less threatening so were a bit blunt. Good have Torres nearly fit and I'm hoping Ross B isn't too far away as we need a bit more physicality together with guile to bring into midfield off the bench in addition to Bogarde.
When you say a "weakened" Palace it never seems that way. They seem to have a conveyor belt producing lightning quick athletic replacements. And they are all programmed to raise their game by 50% when they play against us. Does anyone know what we did to piss them off!!
-
Buendia’s replacement is already in the squad…
-
As the guy who stands next to me says “if Buendia is the answer for Villa then you know we are fu**ed”
What that before or after the Arse home match? Also not sure that anyone has recenty stated Buendia is THE answer. Most have said of the options we currently have there, he is the best of the bunch and has definitely been a part of a winning run that has only recently ended.
-
Palace were weakened. They're 8 without a win and their squad is so fucked that their entire bench combined had a total of 2 PL starts. We should be enjoying 3 points today.
-
Palace were weakened. They're 8 without a win and their squad is so fucked that their entire bench combined had a total of 2 PL starts. We should be enjoying 3 points today.
Agree, missed opportunity down mainly to some poor finishing and a bit of fatigue.
-
I might be in a minority but im actually very happy with that point. When was the last time we drew a game? We usually get battered there.
Ok the performance was not great but we didnt use up too much energy last night. Clean sheet with a lot of injuries and no team has got ground on us yet whoch is main thing
Happy days
-
Bizot looks very small to be a PL keeper.
He's the same height as Peter Schmeichel and Alisson.
-
Buendia when he's on it is a tiger. Still happy to have him around.
-
Palace were weakened. They're 8 without a win and their squad is so fucked that their entire bench combined had a total of 2 PL starts. We should be enjoying 3 points today.
Yet their first XI still had many of the same players that always play well against us - Henderson, Guehi, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Hughes, Wharton and Mateta and their new big signing, Johnson.
Their physicality and ability to break on us is something we've always struggled with under Glasner. And our last draw was at Sunderland 4 months ago. It's a decent point.
-
It probably wasn’t, but it seemed like the first time our centre-halves have ever coped with Mateta.
-
I might be in a minority but im actually very happy with that point. When was the last time we drew a game? We usually get battered there.
Ok the performance was not great but we didnt use up too much energy last night. Clean sheet with a lot of injuries and no team has got ground on us yet whoch is main thing
Happy days
Not at our best but we dug in and should knicked it at the end, and the ref was an absolute cock.
-
Buendia when he's on it is a tiger. Still happy to have him around.
Absolutely. I can’t believe the negativity towards him by some.
-
Which guaranteed starters were they actually missing? I know Sarr is at AFCON but arguably Johnson is his replacement. Plus the right back.
-
Wharton is a class player, bossed the midfield for most of the second half.
-
Buendia’s replacement is already in the squad…
Jimoh-Aloba?
-
ManC dicked them at Selhurst 3-0 a few weeks ago. And last night was their 14th match in 6 weeks or so with little rotation. Which is why they are 8 without a win.
I will add that a draw was a fair result as we were average, and come May it may be a valuable point, but imo it wasn't a good point.
-
Which guaranteed starters were they actually missing? I know Sarr is at AFCON but arguably Johnson is his replacement. Plus the right back.
They had a £25m young centre half 'filling in' that probably would be playing for us were our hands not tied, whilst we played a free transfer instead. Poor Palace.
-
Although we did have well over 100m of players on the bench.
-
Buendia’s replacement is already in the squad…
Jimoh-Aloba?
Elliot
-
We knew that Palace were knackered and had a weak bench. We should have gone for the jugular from the first minute and taken advantage of our extra energy/quality on the bench. Instead, we fannied around at the back, moved at a snails pace and played right into their hands.
A missed opportunity. I don't give a shit about our history with Palace. On the night we had more than enough in our squad to win that game comfortably. Two points dropped.
Rant over.
-
In the context of keeping us in the top 4 (CL spaces) it was a good point gained.
In the context of trying to win a PL title, it looks like 2 points dropped.
I'm happy with the point gained, as we're well on course for CL football again.
-
We didn't lose!
-
We knew that Palace were knackered and had a weak bench. We should have gone for the jugular from the first minute and taken advantage of our extra energy/quality on the bench. Instead, we fannied around at the back, moved at a snails pace and played right into their hands.
A missed opportunity. I don't give a shit about our history with Palace. On the night we had more than enough in our squad to win that game comfortably. Two points dropped.
Rant over.
We did go for the jugular from the off. Ollie missed two great chances and we totally bossed large parts of the game. Palace weren't knackered. They may have had a couple of big names missing but the replacements were very lively and uber competitive as Palace always are against us. I thought it was a good performance that with better finishing could have seen us win that one comfortably.
-
We knew that Palace were knackered and had a weak bench. We should have gone for the jugular from the first minute and taken advantage of our extra energy/quality on the bench. Instead, we fannied around at the back, moved at a snails pace and played right into their hands.
A missed opportunity. I don't give a shit about our history with Palace. On the night we had more than enough in our squad to win that game comfortably. Two points dropped.
Rant over.
We did go for the jugular from the off. Ollie missed two great chances and we totally bossed large parts of the game. Palace weren't knackered. They may have had a couple of big names missing but the replacements were very lively and uber competitive as Palace always are against us. I thought it was a good performance that with better finishing could have seen us win that one comfortably.
Agreed, I thought we started really well actually. Watkins had those two chances that weren't 'sitters' but you'd have backed him to score 1 of them on current form.
Second half to be fair they upped the level and we had to defend well. And we were very unfortunate to not get a penalty.
Happy with a clean sheet at their place. If we continue to repeat this pattern of winning and home and picking up points away for the next month or two we'll hopefully have created a solid enough cushion within the UCL places to be able to go all in on Europe.
-
When they lose Wharton and (I hate) Guehi(s) they will struggle like they've historically struggled - they are both very good players. When they leave, which they will very soon, they will be left with the likes of Will (can foul with total impunity) Hughes et al. But we had more than enough chances to win that match and didn't take them, and that is our Achilles heel this year like conceding goals on the first attack was last season.
Watkins gonna Watkins and we have to accept that, as great his attributes are, he will often miss chances you need him to score.
-
When they lose Wharton and (I hate) Guehi(s) they will struggle like they've historically struggled - they are both very good players. When they leave, which they will very soon, they will be left with the likes of Will (can foul with total impunity) Hughes et al. But we had more than enough chances to win that match and didn't take them, and that is our Achilles heel this year like conceding goals on the first attack was last season.
Watkins gonna Watkins and we have to accept that, as great his attributes are, he will often miss chances you need him to score.
I think the times come for us to get a striker in who puts those type of chances away. I really like the look of Thiago at Brentford and his stats are great. I'd be more than happy for us to raid Brentford yet again and sign him. It would probably be cheaper to poach whoever it is at Brentford who keeps unearthing great strikers that no one's heard of. Their record in that department is remarkable.
-
Not sure we earned a clean sheet so I wouldn’t take solace from that!
I like our commitment and passion. We could do with a couple of additions in January to lift the place!
-
Did you see the sitter Haaland missed last night? Worse than anything Watkins has hit recently. If you expect your striker to score with every shot he gets, you're gonna be disappointed forever.
-
Did you see the sitter Haaland missed last night? Worse than anything Watkins has hit recently. If you expect your striker to score with every shot he gets, you're gonna be disappointed forever.
No one expects that though. It would be unreasonable to expect a striker to score every time but it's not unreasonable to want a better conversation rate than Ollie currently has. I love Ollie but you can't deny he's missed a lot of sitters this season. I don't think Unai would want to lose him but I bet if he would jump at the chance of javing a prolific goalscorer at his disposal.
-
Not the worst tbh.
Arsenal lose to Liverpool tomorrow and we've gained a point.
If we can’t win the league then maybe we need Liverpool to lose and help ensure we qualify for Champions League spot.
-
But there is nothing more enjoyable than seeing those norf landan foreva wankers crying in their shandy.
-
For now lets look up the table not down, the chances of us dropping enough points and 3 clubs below us picking up enough to catch us are pretty slim so Arsenal and Man City dropping points is the priority.
-
For now lets look up the table not down, the chances of us dropping enough points and 3 clubs below us picking up enough to catch us are pretty slim so Arsenal and Man City dropping points is the priority.
Completely agree.
Also in relation to other posts on our achilles heel and Watkins etc, we’ve just had one of best first half a seasons in our history. We are clear in third (joint second). Comparatively with what we have done with all but a handful of years in our history, we haven’t got much of an achilles heel really.
-
I think the times come for us to get a striker in who puts those type of chances away. I really like the look of Thiago at Brentford and his stats are great. I'd be more than happy for us to raid Brentford yet again and sign him. It would probably be cheaper to poach whoever it is at Brentford who keeps unearthing great strikers that no one's heard of. Their record in that department is remarkable.
I agree that it would be better to poach the scouting team rather than an individual player. Brentford sign 22- and 23-year olds for £20-30m, which bears all the hallmarks of a Moneyball approach. Igor Tiago is certainly looking like good business at the moment. I wonder what Brentford fans thought at the time about signing a 23-year old for £30m after one season in the Belgian league, having been previously been signed for £6m after one season in the Bulgarian league.
-
For now lets look up the table not down, the chances of us dropping enough points and 3 clubs below us picking up enough to catch us are pretty slim so Arsenal and Man City dropping points is the priority.
Completely agree.
Also in relation to other posts on our achilles heel and Watkins etc, we’ve just had one of best first half a seasons in our history. We are clear in third (joint second). Comparatively with what we have done with all but a handful of years in our history, we haven’t got much of an achilles heel really.
Not wanting to be argumentative for the sake of it, but as much as I've enjoyed the amazing run we've been on (what a time to be a Villa fan as I keep telling my kids), you can always improve. Certainly that is what Emery is clearly targeting. We can actually win this league with a bit if injursy fortune and maybe an astute signing or two. I do think our main (albeit 1st world) problem is that we aren't clinical enough. That doesn't mean I expect Watkins, who has loads of lovable qualities and attributes, to score every chance either. But he misses a lot of chances and I'm not sure anybody can really disagree with that.
Commentary on how things can improve after this last couple of months isn't being ungrateful for the run we've been on - it's just aiming high.
-
Dominated the first half without really creating much. Palace came on strong second half and looked like they might score but 0-0 isn’t the end of the world after our recent results against them.
-
Anyone seeing a conspiracy is making the same mistake all conspiracy theorists make. Ignoring the bleeding obvious. If the powers that be wanted us to lose they could easily have given either of the two penalty shouts Palace had. That would have been easier than denying us a penalty shout later on that might never have come.
-
Yeah, every fan of every team leans into their team being conspired against, even the horrible ones that play in red.
-
It probably wasn’t, but it seemed like the first time our centre-halves have ever coped with Mateta.
Mostly.
There was one moment where he waltzed down the left touchline, defenders seemingly transfixed, when I thought, here we go again...
-
It probably wasn’t, but it seemed like the first time our centre-halves have ever coped with Mateta.
Mostly.
There was one moment where he waltzed down the left touchline, defenders seemingly transfixed, when I thought, here we go again...
We still seem to be the only team affected by Will Hughes invisible force field, I know he's shite but allowing him to amble 30 yards to the edge of the box to shoot is not ideal.